Things to See in Alicante: 8 places you can't miss

Things to See in Alicante

Spain is full of beautiful places that are also easily accessible for a short getaway. This is the case of Alicante. I was lucky to discover this Mediterranean city somewhat by chance. From the first moments, I loved its tranquility and the beauty of its understated architecture. Alicante is a perfect city to experience a slow travel journey or to spend a few days under the sun. In this article, I share with you the things to see in Alicante.

What to do in Alicante?

Castillo de Santa Barbara
Barrio de Santa Cruz
Concatedral de San Nicolas
Plaza de los Luceros
Explanada de España
Puerto de Alicante
Playa del Postiguet
Mercado Central
Excursions alrededor de Alicante

Information to visit Alicante:

How many days to visit Alicante?
Things to see in Alicante in 1 day?
Things to see in Alicante in 2 days?
When to visit Alicante?
How to get to Alicante?
How to get around in Alicante?
Where to stay in Alicante?
Be a digital nomad in Alicante
Be a responsible traveler in Alicante
Travel as a POC person in Alicante

Alicante in a nutshell

Alicante is the capital of the province of the same name. Located in the Valencian Community, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, making it one of the favorite European destinations for sun and beach tourism.

Like many Spanish cities, numerous civilizations have trodden its ground and left indelible marks, making it a place rich in both history and architecture. Its port is also a prominent spot for tourism, greatly contributing to the local economy.

Things to see in Alicante

The city boasts numerous places that delight tourists, but here are 8 you can’t miss on your next trip.

1. Castillo de Santa Barbara

It is the emblematic monument of the city. The Arab medieval castle of Santa Bárbara is located on Mount Benacantil at 167 meters above sea level. It was built in the 9th century. From here, the views of the city and the port are impressive.

To visit the castle, you can take an elevator located in front of Postiguet Beach. It is also accessible by car or on foot, but beware, the climb is steep! Avoid walking up during the hottest hours of the day.

2. Barrio de Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz neighborhood is undoubtedly my favorite place in Alicante. It’s impossible not to be dazzled by its beauty and its white facades adorned with colorful flowers!

3. Concatedral de San Nicolás

The co-cathedral of San Nicolás is an unmissable monument, as it is the most important religious building in the city. Built on the remains of a mosque in the 17th century, it has a rather sober exterior. Inside, it is its dome that attracts all the attention.

4. Plaza de los Luceros

Alicante is also a city to be discovered by strolling through its streets at random and enjoying its beautiful squares, such as Plaza de los Luceros, where an impressive monumental fountain is located.

5. Explanada de España

It is impossible to overlook a visit to the Explanada de España during your stay in Alicante. Characterized by its wave-shaped mosaics, it offers a 500-meter walkway very close to the sea, shaded by palm trees.

6. Puerto de Alicante

The port area of Alicante is another place to discover during your visit to the city. You can admire the yachts and fishing boats from one of the numerous bars in the area.

7. Playa del Postiguet

Spending a weekend in Alicante also involves relaxing in the sun and enjoying the Mediterranean Sea. Several beaches await you, but Playa del Postiguet is the most accessible from the city center. 600 meters of golden sand to relax!

8. Mercado central

For me, it’s impossible to visit a Spanish city without stopping by its local markets, and the most important one in Alicante is the Central Market. In its modern Valencian-style building, you’ll find stalls selling fruits, fish, and sweet delights.

You can explore this place through a tour that will also allow you to taste some local products.

Excursions to explore around Alicante

The city is also an excellent starting point to explore the region, which has a lot to offer to tourists. Here are some ideas to escape from the city and discover more.

Coastal catamaran cruise

To enjoy a true relaxation stay, hop aboard a catamaran that will not only allow you to cool off, but also snorkel and explore the treasures of the sea.

Discover the Tabarca Island

The island of Tabarca is a very popular destination among tourists, who enjoy wandering through its streets, admiring its lighthouse, or simply relaxing on the beach.

Elche

Elche is another Spanish treasure and is especially known for hosting the largest palm grove in Europe, a true spectacle for the eyes.

Guadalest

If you’re eager to discover a completely different environment, Guadalest is perfect for you. Located among the mountains, this village is especially famous for its castle.

Altea

Altea is a small village that invites tranquility with its white streets, which have captivated artists of all kinds for decades.

How many days to visit Alicante?

If you’re on a road trip in the region and are in a hurry, you can easily discover the city in a day.

However, I strongly recommend spending a weekend to truly enjoy it and also to have time to spend on the beach and try the local specialties.

Of course, if you like the place and can afford it, you can stay for a week or more and use it as a base to explore the region.

What to do in 1 day?

What to do in Alicante? If you have limited time to visit the city, you can easily see the essentials in a day. Here’s an itinerary for you:

Santa Bárbara Castle: Start your day with the city’s most emblematic monument and enjoy the views in peace.
Santa Cruz Neighborhood: Before the temperatures rise, explore its streets.
Lunch: Take advantage of being in the area to have lunch in this neighborhood.
Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás: Continue your visit calmly through this building.
Plaza de los Luceros: Stroll through the streets of the city center before ending up in the square.
Explanada de España: Walk in the shade of the palm trees.
Port: Enjoy the atmosphere at the end of the day before having dinner there.

What to do in 2 days?

Ideally, it’s best to spend 2 days exploring the city and enjoying it leisurely. Here’s a simple itinerary for a weekend:

Day 1:

Plaza de los Luceros: Start your visit to the city center by passing through this square, of course.
Central Market: Immerse yourself in the local culture at the market.
Lunch: Near the market, you’ll surely find a place to try the local cuisine.
Explanada de España: Walk in the shade of the palm trees.
Port: Enjoy the atmosphere at the end of the day before having dinner there.

Day 2:

Santa Bárbara Castle: Start your day with the city’s monument and enjoy the views in peace.
Santa Cruz Neighborhood: Before the temperatures rise, explore its streets.
Lunch: Take advantage of being in the area to have lunch in this neighborhood.
Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás: Continue your visit calmly through this building.
Beach: Spend the afternoon at the beach.

When to visit Alicante?

It is recommended to visit Alicante from May to October to enjoy pleasant temperatures both in and out of the water. Additionally, rainfall is less frequent during this period.

However, if you struggle with heat, avoid the months of July and August when temperatures can reach record highs.

How to get to Alicante?

At Alicante airport, numerous flights land every day from various European cities.

If you are already in Spain, many bus companies will take you to the charming Mediterranean city. It is also possible to arrive by train.

Finally, if you have a vehicle, many roads lead to Alicante: AP-7 motorway, Madrid – Alicante A-31 highway, A-7 highway, N-332 national road, N-340 national road.

How to get around Alicante?

Alicante is not a very large city, so if, like me, you enjoy walking, you can see everything on foot.

However, you can also rely on the local transportation system to get around the city. And, of course, you can always take a taxi.

How to stay in Alicante?

The Centro Moderno neighborhood is the perfect place to be close to all tourist attractions. Additionally, the array of bars, restaurants, shops, supermarkets, pharmacies… ensures a hassle-free stay.

The Old Town is also an excellent option for experiencing a quieter and more authentic stay, albeit a bit less convenient.

Finally, Postiguet is the area to consider if you want to spend a beach vacation while still having access to all the advantages of the city center.

Be a digital nomad in Alicante

Alicante is not a popular destination for digital nomads. Although there are some coworking spaces and cafés to work from, you may have some difficulty finding a community.

However, if that’s not one of your concerns, Alicante can be a good option. Spanish quality of life, tranquility, beach, and gastronomy are just some of its attractions.

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Be a responsible traveler in Alicante

There’s no exception with Alicante; traveling responsibly is absolutely necessary, as it is anywhere else. If you’re unsure how to do it, here’s a short list of eco-responsible actions:

Use eco-friendly sunscreen.
Pick up your trash on the beach.
Pay attention to your water and electricity consumption.
Avoid using air conditioning in your accommodation.
Visit local bars and restaurants.
Do your shopping at the market.
Learn about garbage recycling rules.
Learn some words in Spanish.

Travel as a poc in Alicante

Of course, my experience is far from universal, but here’s my feedback. Being of South Asian origin, I didn’t encounter any issues with the Spanish people I met.

The city is very touristy and attracts many Europeans. The only bad experience I had was with a group of British men, who made me feel like an animal in a zoo.

I hope this article “Things to see in Alicante?” inspires you to discover this beautiful city.

Feel free to share it on Pinterest to help other travelers!

bonsvoyagesetc

March 22, 2024

Things to See in Alicante

Alicante in a nutshell